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lacey

@lacey@hachyderm.io

Python, Django, building stronger engineering teams, parenthood, baking, quilting, miscellaneous crafting. She/her

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lacey, to random
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Somehow I missed that the @djangocon CFP is open! @drewbrew has a great post on talks he'd like to see. https://winstel.dev/2024/03/01/talk-ideas-for-dcus-24/ #djangoconus #cfp

lacey, to random
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It’s been a hell of a week for the little Henschel family. But at least I have a new favorite song.

“Midnight” by Ed Sheeran from Autumn Variations. Lyric video: https://youtu.be/F9F7yBREpSo?si=FRBHzvelfntry0og

lacey, to random
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Y’all don’t scratch your corneas. Hurts WAY more than an injury that tiny has any right to.

lacey,
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@greg Brushing my hair. Not kidding. Just straight up poked myself in the eye. It’s just been that kind of… year?

lacey, to random
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Do you code a phone tree?

Does it use the calling number to authenticate?

Do you have a not-awful way to let someone break out of that if, say, they are calling about their relative’s account who DIED and who clearly doesn’t have the same number?

Can you please double check this and raise it in sprint planning if it sucks? For me?

It really really sucks to get sucked into an inescapable phone tree when your emotions are already frazzled.

If your “someone died” flow doesn’t suck, you rock!

lacey,
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Stg my “someone died and their loved ones have to deal with it” scenario is going to be a way bigger part of the dev conversations I have, going forward.

lacey, to random
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My cousin gave birth a few weeks ago and I asked my grandpa how she was doing and he responded with the dates she is returning to work. 🙃

lacey,
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@greg I’m speechless!

lacey, to random
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Random thread of tips to make your more comfortable:

  1. Raise their food/water bowls. Easier on the neck as they get arthritic.

  2. Lower food bowls so their whiskers don’t touch the bowl.

  3. Puzzle treat trays. We have this ladybug one and it’s very popular. Keeps them active and busy with easier movement.

  4. Litter box options. I introduced a covered option with a lower step and he uses both… and has had zero “accidents” since it was introduced.

Low stainless steel cat food bowls with a kitten in the background
Green cat treat puzzle that looks like ladybugs are on it.
Covered litter box with lower step.

lacey,
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  1. Feliway! Hyperthyroidism, kidney disease, diabetes, all kinds of conditions that affect older cats can come with increased anxiety as a side effect, and this pheromone spray can help keep them calm. I use the plugins AND the spray.

  2. Cat TV on YouTube. This is brand new to me, but he LOVES it and is calmer when it’s on. The channel “Patsy’s Garden” has a ton of videos.

Video still of a bird feeding station with birds on it.

lacey,
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  1. Cat grass. I have my cat sitter to thank for this, but he loves it and doesn’t spit it up. It’s a nice sensory thing for him to rub his face on the grass, and he eats it a little too. 🪴

  2. More water options. Again, many of the chronic conditions senior kitties develop mean keeping them hydrated is extra important. Baxter likes his water dish AND his fountain.

Catit flower fountain

lacey,
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  1. A room of their own. This isn’t always possible, but as kitties age, and especially if they share he home with more rambunctious family members, having a “safe space” they can retreat to can keep their stress lower, which keeps them healthier and happier. (And as they age, they can be a little less patient with people when they don’t feel well, so having their own space can keep everyone safer, too.)
lacey,
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On 9 — the late great Hermione rarely needed her own space, but Baxter is happiest when he gets to pretend to live with only me. It’s awkward sometimes but we do what we need to.

lacey,
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  1. Surprise them a little! Older kitties play less, but they still need to play and they need stimulation. I leave little treats on his window perch, on the sofa, under his toys, etc. to encourage him to explore his space and move around more. It’s a gentler way to activate the “hunting” drive.
lacey, (edited )
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  1. Comfort food. Get a few cans for emergencies (like your cat stops eating their regular food). Mine always liked Fancy Feast for those moments when they needed help getting their appetite back (both were/are on lifelong prescription food but got increasingly picky).
lacey,
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None of this will make a huge difference individually, buts it’s a Swiss cheese model: if you stack enough comfort measures on top of each other, you can really improve your cat’s quality of life. Mine demonstrate that through fewer accidents, less aggression, and more snuggles!

lacey,
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Finally, 12, if it’s in your budget and especially if you have an aggressive senior cat: A cat behaviorist and/or a fear-free vet. Their care gets complicated as they age, and there are hard situations and harder choices. Having professionals you can be honest with and who are empathetic and want to make it as easy on your kitty as possible are godsends.

lacey, (edited )
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Also treating kitty arthritis is tricky, and knowing if it’s working can be subtle. I mentioned a shot and some supplements here and YMMV! Just know there are lots of options.

**I edited this but I don’t know the etiquette for that so here is a disclaimer 😊 Thanks @bitprophet for sharing a different experience!

lacey,
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Now I’m done! Hope it helps someone! I paid a lot of money and went through a lot of stress for this knowledge 😂 😭

Go give your furbabies a treat. They deserve it. 🐈 🐈‍⬛ ❤️

lacey,
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Also if you’re in the Portland area and need a cat (or dog!) behaviorist, I cannot recommend Grace Peck highly enough. She is the kindest and most caring person, and she has held my hand through some really tough moments with Baxter. She just gets it, and if you know you know. https://olivebehavior.com

lacey,
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@bitprophet Thanks for chiming in! I have Strong Opinions based on my sample size of two 😂 I guess the amended advice would be, chat with your vet about options for treating arthritis and how to tell if something is working. It’s one of those things that’s so subtle and so frustrating!

lacey, to random
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[takes a deep breath]

Link me to your favorite way to organize your notes in #obsidian! I already sync with iCloud and I want to use a single vault for everything.

But have you successfully gone from a weird mish-mash of Google Drive and Apple Notes and the backs of receipts to Obsidian? Tell me your secrets!

lacey, to random
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Once in a while I get nervous and panicky and I’m like “ugh brain why do you do this to me we’re FINE” and sometimes I’m like “… Yeah, you’re right! That was scary and not okay! Your panic is reasonable!”

And somehow that doesn’t feel better but it feels like it should so I guess that’s something?

lacey,
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@tylermumford When you self-talk your way out of and then back into a spiral! It’s the best 🙃

lacey, to random
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If you have cats, please, PLEASE give them this treat of Halloween Cat TV: adorable carved pumpkins on logs with a birdseed buffet and tell me what they think.

I actually turned it off because Baxter was so into it I was afraid he’d attack the TV— apparently those squirrels looked extra shifty. https://youtu.be/6TFUIOruAG0?si=lnYTuunnk2s7F5hJ

lacey,
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@CodenameTim Baxter says, “Wait until you see the pigeons!”

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